Cancer Research UK main site

Secondary cancer

1Pincher
Offline

Hi everyone.  First time on this site so if I go wrong please forgive?

My wife has had treatment for aggressive breast cancer since early last year followed by a mastectomy.  Subsequent CAT and MRI scans indicated a cancerous lesion on the brain for which she received high dose targetted radiotherapy at hospital over three days.

She is now very weak and exhausted after treatment sleeping possibly 16 hours a day and has difficulty rising from bed or a chair.  The slightest activity or effort results in a return to bed.  She has now got red spots on her arm.

Have spoken to Oncology but no answer yet.  Is this normal?  Has anyone else experienced this.  Any info would be welcomed  

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    I can appreciate your concern. It is common for people to experience increased fatigue after radiotherapy to the brain. The effects of treatment can persist for a number of weeks after the treatment has finished, and this is called somnolence. There can be a temporary response of increased swelling in the treated area of the brain to a small degree.

    There can be other explanations for increased fatigue as well. So it is helpful to let her hospital team know how she is, so they can monitor her condition. They may prescribe oral steroids to help with the current symptoms.

    I hope this reply helps,

    Vanda    

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.